The Most Interesting Man in the World is a well‑known TV commercial character—but in my world, we just lost a real one. George Barber passed away Monday, and with him, Birmingham lost a visionary whose life proved what can happen when you stay true to your own message.

Mr. Barber never chased trends or tried to be anything other than himself. He raced Porsches to 63 first‑place wins. He restored classic cars. He eventually amassed the world’s largest motorcycle collection. And when his passion outgrew the walls around it, he didn’t wait—he built.

In 2003, he opened the 880‑acre Barber Motorsports Park with its 2.38‑mile track, investing $52 million of his own money into a dream that now draws nearly 400,000 visitors a year. His 1,800‑plus motorcycles weren’t possessions to him; they were stories—machines he believed would “talk to you” if you listened.

I grew up hearing stories about Mr. Barber. My Uncle Jerry and George raced together in high school. To our family, and many others, Mr. Barber wasn’t just a businessman—he was a quiet force of nature, driven not by applause but by vision.

Birmingham is better because George Barber decided to build what only he could see. I enjoyed the excitement of the Barber Motorsports Park, racing Porsches there in the early 2000s.  And in a week when I was already reflecting on staying focused on your own strengths instead of comparing yourself to others, his passing brought that message home.

And my closing thought for this most interesting man, George Barber…

From the green flag to the checkered flag, his was a race well run.

Last night after dinner, my daughter Anne Charlotte sat beside me and read the peer helper application she had written. At her middle school, Peer Helpers are a small group of seventh graders chosen to tutor classmates, guide new students, and support kids with special needs—students who lead by example. She began with her strengths: kind to others, a strong leader, a compassionate friend. All the qualities any parent hopes to hear.

Then she moved to her weaknesses, and one line stopped me. She wrote that she struggles with comparing herself to others, explaining, “It’s easy to look at people on social media with a longing eye.” That hit harder than I expected—not because it was surprising, but because it was familiar. She’s 11, and she put words to something adults wrestle with every day.

In business and in life, it’s just as easy to measure ourselves against competitors, leaders, or success stories and feel that same subtle pull—the quiet comparison, the quiet doubt. Listening to her, I was reminded of a truth we all forget from time to time: the only person any of us can truly be…is ourselves. Everyone else is already taken.

Charlotte reminded me that every person and every business have their own path. The only story I can write is mine. The only story she can write is hers.

Her honesty made me realize how often we slip into comparison without noticing. And it reminded me why listening matters. Sometimes the most meaningful message doesn’t come from a book or a keynote—it comes from someone sitting next to you, willing to be honest.

I’m proud of her awareness, and grateful for the reminder she gave me.

Thanks for sharing, Anne Charlotte. I heard it.

In a fast-moving organization like ours, speed is often a strength—until it isn’t. We push hard for clients, for each other, and for the work. But when messages move too fast, the meaning can get lost. A quick email written under pressure can turn a simple fix into a problem. Tone, punctuation, even one aggressive sentence can unintentionally escalate a situation.

I remind myself often: keep messages short, clear, steady, and without emotion. Some days I hit the mark; other days I miss. But the discipline matters. If we’re trying to solve a problem, tearing someone down—intentionally or not—never gets us there faster. Communication should build, not bruise.

Messaging matters every day. In tone. In timing. In delivery. Last week I talked about the power of something as small as a smile—how it creates warmth and connection. In the past few days, I’ve seen how stress and frustration can flip that same dynamic the other way, especially over email. It’s a reminder that every message carries weight. Every message influences success, trust, and progress.

The simple rhythm still holds true: quick to listen, slow to speak, and slower to anger. Biblical, yes—but also practical. Emotional control is a strategic advantage. Slow the message down just enough to get it right. That’s how we move fast in the ways that actually matter.

In business, a smile is more than polite—it’s powerful. A study I read this month revealed that 77% of people who bought a car said they connected with their salesperson because of how that person made them feel. Nothing creates that connection faster than a genuine smile. It communicates warmth, trust, and sincerity before a single word is spoken. If messaging matters—and it does—your smile may be your most powerful message.

Yet the truth is, smiling isn’t always top of mind. We all have good days, tough days, and those days when we’re locked in so tightly—focused, grinding, deep in the zone—that smiling doesn’t even occur to us. I fall into that place myself. But one intentional smile, even in those moments, can reset the tone and remind the people around us that they matter. It lightens the room without weakening the work.

From there, everything else becomes a bonus. Zig Ziglar said that among the things you can give and still keep are your word and your smile. In a world where transparency matters more every day, that smile signals honesty and openness far better than any scripted line.

And beyond business, smiling simply makes life better. It reduces stress, boosts immunity, and lifts your mindset. Award-winning songwriter Patty Griffin captured it beautifully when she said a small smile is her way of saying, ‘I see you. You’re not invisible to me.’

A smile makes business better. A smile makes life better. And your smile may be your most powerful message today.

Walk the halls of our office, and you’ll see flat screens rolling with quotes that matter—reminders from leaders and legends. One is from Super Bowl GOAT, and now NFL Las Vegas Raiders minority owner, Tom Brady: “Clear communication leads to confidence. When everyone understands the message, the team succeeds.”

That message was on display Monday night—Brady was in Miami, scouting Heisman winner and potential #1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza at the Indiana vs Miami CFP Championship—and the Hoosiers delivered a masterclass in Messaging Matters discipline. In reading articles on the amazing rise of Indiana, I was struck by how many of their team quotes map to our STRONG core values:

SELF — Curt Cignetti: “I’ve never taken a back seat to anybody and don’t plan on starting now.” Confidence starts with clarity of self.

TEAM — Fernando Mendoza: “I’ll remember going 98 yards with my boys.” And he learned every teammate’s name—star or walk‑on. Message: team above self.

RESPECT — Cignetti: “We’ll get people’s attention with this one.” Earned, not demanded—through preparation and performance.

OPTIMIZE — Star Receiver Elijah Sarratt: “One more rep!” Extra work became a standard. Cignetti: “There’s good and there’s great… it takes special discipline.”

NURTURE — Athletic Director Scott Dolson who hired Cignetti at IU: “Don’t put any limitations there.” Leaders remove ceilings so people can grow.

GROW — Mendoza: “Always bet on ourselves… one more time at the biggest stage of the game.” Growth is choosing courage—again and again.

Our theme this year is Messaging Matters. Indiana’s season proves it: a shared message, repeated consistently, turns belief into behavior and behavior into results. When we align on the message, live it, and communicate it clearly—one more time—everything is possible.

Today marks two years of sobriety. For me, it isn’t a celebration—it’s another step on a day‑at‑a‑time climb. I’m grateful to God, my family, my friends, and the people who spoke truth with honesty and grace. This milestone simply reminds me that staying sober means choosing the right direction every single day.

One of the clearest voices in my journey has been John Steakley, former addict turned pastor and founder of Unbound Grace Ministries. John describes addiction as the ‘first mountain’—a mountain built on achievement, control, and the illusion that you can outrun what’s consuming you. His words helped me see that I had built that mountain myself.

Bottoming out wasn’t dramatic. It was the moment I finally admitted alcohol was controlling life outside of work. I’d heard other people’s testimonies—stories of quitting, stories of starting over—and realized I wanted to write my own. Asking for help was the first real step.

John talks about the ‘second mountain,’ the one I’m climbing now. It’s a mountain of humility, discipline, and forward motion. I’ve learned to control the substance. I’ve learned to handle frustration without letting it define me. I’m not perfect, but I’m present. And I’m not turning back.

If you’re reading this and wondering, ‘Do I have a problem?’ I encourage you to reach out to someone you trust. Help is real. Hope is real. Freedom is possible. And when you can say, ‘One year ago today, I stopped drinking,’ I’ll celebrate that moment with you.

Keep climbing. Your second mountain is waiting.

Contact Unbound Grace Counseling: https://www.unboundgrace.life/contact

In leadership—and in life—words carry weight.

At Strong Automotive, we realize our company theme for 2026 is critical to continued growth:  Messaging Matters because every message shapes outcomes. But here’s the challenge: Do we tell people what they WANT to hear, or what they NEED to hear?

The truth is, growth rarely comes from comfort. As author James Clear reminds us, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Systems – processes, if you will –  thrive on honesty, not flattery. Telling someone what they want to hear may feel good in the moment, but telling them what they need to hear builds resilience, clarity, and progress.

The colorful mural outside of my office says it best: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. That attitude must include openness to hard truths. Parallel to attitude, our core values—Self, Team, Respect, Optimize, Nurture, Grow—demand accountability. Respect means candor. Nurture means guiding with empathy, even when the message is tough. Growth means embracing feedback that stretches us beyond the easy path.

As Simon Sinek puts it, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” Sometimes that care looks like encouragement; other times, it’s a reality check that sparks improvement. The balance between WANT and NEED isn’t about choosing one—it’s about delivering both with integrity and purpose.

In 2026, our commitment is to messages that move people forward. Because when messaging matters, progress follows.

“Your Attention, please!”

When we gathered in the office lobby to kick off the New Year, the tone was different—no music, no fanfare—just an ultimate truth: Messaging Matters. These two words will define how we grow forward in 2026, and here’s why.

We’re in the communications business. Every day, we conceptualize, build, and deliver a product that doesn’t sit on a shelf—it creates traffic. That’s the genesis of everything we do, both as a business partner and a corporate team. Every dollar we invest for our clients must generate a return, and that only happens when our message is clear and compelling.

Our product is born from ideas and transformed into stories—every spot, graphic, media buy, and word matters. Precision in budgeting and billing matters. Why? Because you can’t drive traffic without a great message. Messaging Matters.

For 16 years, we’ve averaged 15% annual growth. That doesn’t happen without a shared vision and belief in the standard we’ve set. The message we send to clients—and to ourselves—is as important as the work we perform. Words shape everything. Some words are never forgotten. That’s why Messaging Matters.

This theme ties directly to our six core values:

• SELF – Confidence and attention to detail send a message about you.
• TEAM – Showing up with focus and passion reflects your commitment.
• RESPECT – How you approach each task communicates respect.
• OPTIMIZE – Leaning into innovation, and AI accelerates progress.
• NURTURE – Are we seen as the most trusted partner for our dealers?
• GROW – Growth happens when we teach, learn, and lead together.

Every action sends a message. In our 49th year, we will embrace this theme with a renewed spirit that drives us from Zero to Understood—internally and externally. Because in everything we do, Messaging Matters.

A holiday story for today’s world.

On Christmas Day in 1864, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words to one of the most beloved carols, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Amid personal loss and a nation at war, he heard the church bells of Cambridge in Washington, DC —a sound that reminded him of hope. Though his heart wrestled with sorrow, the words in his final verse rose to proclaim a truth that still echoes today:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.

This season, let those words fill your heart with joy. The message of Christmas is unchanged: hope was born in a manger, and that hope lives on. Take time to cherish family, celebrate blessings, and remember the true reason for the season—the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

From our family to yours, may God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

This holiday season arrived almost unnoticed.

After logging more than 30,000 miles in recent weeks, I realized Christmas was near only when I saw a hotel lobby decked in lights. That moment sparked a thought from a conversation with a gentleman last week: God puts us here to manage, not to own. Everything—our family, friends, work, even our daily bread—is entrusted to us by Him. We’re managers, not owners.

This truth feels especially profound now. As a business owner, it’s easy to think in terms of possession. But I’ve learned, through both success and struggle, that nothing truly belongs to me. Years ago, I faced personal battles with alcohol dependence and control. Pastor Charles Stanley once described this as a trap, ‘believing in Jesus for salvation but trusting exclusively in ourselves for daily living.’ That was me. Today, I see life differently.

In quiet moments—on yesterday’s flight and again in my early morning time—I reflected on all I’ve been given to steward. That perspective fills me with gratitude. Zig Ziglar said, ‘The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times.’ I believe that now more than ever.

As we enter this season, I’m ready to celebrate with a renewed sense of understanding: everything I have is a gift, and my role is to manage it well.

May your holidays be filled with peace, joy…and a grateful heart.